As someone who has covered and followed University of Maryland athletics since coming to The Baltimore Sun more than 25 years ago, I have the unique perspective of not only comparing coaches but athletic directors as well.

But I have a much better understanding of that decision after looking into Collins’ belief that quick fixes don’t work and hearing Anderson talk about it during our interview Monday in his Comcast Center office. I also think I have a much better understanding of what Anderson has gone through after talking with him and others who have come into contact with him during his time at Maryland.

As much as Anderson’s reputation has been helped by the hiring of men’s basketball coach Mark Turgeon, his legacy at Maryland will ultimately be tied to Edsall. The decision to cut eight teams had little to do with Anderson; the fate of those sports and the athletes who play them was sealed before Anderson arrived from Army in October 2010 to replace Debbie Yow.

I’ll be interested to hear if your feelings about Anderson have changed, as some of mine have, after reading the story this week.